OYA (SHE TORE) IS THE AFRO-CARIBBEAN GODDESS OF THE WEATHER. SHE IS THE PERSONIFICATION OF THE WIND AND STORMS WHICH RANGE FROM THE GENTLE SUMMER BREEZE TO THE WILD WINDS OF THE HURRICANE...DEPENDING ON HER TEMPER. SHE IS THE POWER OF CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION AND IS OFTEN DEPICTED AS CARRYING A SWORD OR A MACHETE WHICH YOU USES TO CUT AWAY THE PAST AND MAKE WAY FOR THE FUTURE. ONE OF HER TOTEMS IS THE LOCUST; ANOTHER IS THE FEMALE WATER BUFFALO WHO CHARGES THROUGH EVERYTHING IN HER PATH. HER NUMBER IS NINE. HER COLOR IS PURPLE. HER METAL IS COPPER.

OYA IS A WARRIOR. WHEREVER THERE IS VIOLENCE, WE FIND OYA. SHE IS THE WHIRLWIND THAT TEARS AWAY AT THE TREES AND THE HOUSES, THE DARKNESS OF THE FOREST. SHE IS THE TRUTH THAT OPPOSES THE WICKED. SHE QUARRELS AND DANCES AND STANDS BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. SHE DOES WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. SHE IS PORTRAYED AS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WHO SOMETIMES WEARS LAYERS OF MULTI-COLORED SKIRTS, AND A CYCLONE STARTS WHEN SHE SWIRLS THEM. OYA IS MARRIED TO OGUN, THE GOD OF IRON; BUT SHE IS ALSO MARRIED TO CHANGO, ONE OF THE WARRIOR GODS. SHE HAS SEVERAL LOVERS AND IS SOMETIMES PORTRAYED AS A PROSTITUTE. SHE IS A TRUE WILD WOMAN, THE FORCE OF CHANGE. SHE IS THE FIRST BREATH WE TAKE AND THE LAST; SHE IS THE ONE WHO CARRIES THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD INTO THE OTHERWORLD.

OYA IS CALLED THE "QUEEN OF THE NINES" FOR THE NINE TRIBUTARIES OF THE NIGER RIVER OVER WHICH SHE RULES. HER NINE SACRED ITEMS INDICATE HER NINE POWERS AND TITLES.

* AS THE LADY OF THE WIND, SHE CARRIES A GLASS KNIFE WITH SHARP EDGES.
* AS THE LADY OF THE RAIN, SHE BRANDISHES A RAINSTICK.
* AS OYA THE QUEEN, SHE HOLDS A COPPER CROWN.
* AS OYA THE WILD ANIMAL, SHE CARRIES THE BUFFALO'S HORN.
* AS THE GUARDIAN OF THE CEMETARY, SHE KEEPS A SMALL POT OF GRAVEYARD EARTH AND A PURPLE CLOTH WHICH IS USED TO PULL OVER THE HEAD WHILE MEDITATING.
* AS THE PURIFIER, SHE CARRIES A BLACK HORSEHAIR FLYWHISK WHICH IS USED FOR PURIFICATION TORNADOES ARE A PURIFYING FORCE THAT WASH AWAY THE DEBRIS AND LEAVE THE SAND SPOTLESS.
* AS OWNER OF THE MARKET, SHE CARRIES A PROSTITUTE'S MAT.
* AS GODDESS OF CHANGE, SHE BRINGS THE DEAD WOOD TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW.
* AS GODDESS OF THE DEAD, A MIRROR IN WHICH SHE SHOWS THE PEOPLE THE TRUTH OF THEIR SOULS.

OYA IS A RULE BREAKER. SHE IS A FEMINIST ICON AND AN INITIATOR OF CHANGE. DO NOT WORK WITH HER IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF CHANGE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT SHE IS ALL ABOUT. SHE WILL STORM INTO YOUR LIFE TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE.